Table-toppers JT/Fox Oxford Cheetahs need to turn in a star performance in front of the Sky TV cameras when they visit Peterborough in a vital Elite League encounter at the East of England Showground tonight.

The Panthers, still smarting after their 53-37 mauling at Sandy Lane which was also televised live earlier this month, and a defeat at Kirky Lane against bottom club Belle Vue on Monday, will come out with all guns firing.

They have brought in Coventry's Lee Richardson for the injured Sam Tesar and look a powerful force with Ryan Sullivan and Mark Loram joining Richardson as heat leaders.

Cheetahs, who will be missing Andrew Appleton after he dislocated his shoulder at the weekend, will also have a new riding order with Todd Wiltshire and Ales Dryml swapping places to give the team a more balanced look.

Team manager Colin Meredith said: "Lukas is still vulnerable at the moment, so we have paired him with Todd Wiltshire to give him some much-needed support."

Cheetahs promoter Vanessa Purchase explained how Appleton suffered his injury. "He was going really well in the meeting, but David Howe had an engine problem and they tangled up.

"To say Andrew is gutted would be an understatement."

Appleton will have to be covered with guests, as he is a reserve, and the management have plumped for Germany's Joachim Kugelman tonight.

Cheetahs will be going all out for the win and have a 16-point lead to defend for the bonus point.

**Peterborough: Sullivan, Jirout, Richardson, Parker, Loram, Howe, Sadler

Oxford: Andersen, L Dryml, A Dryml, Wiltshire, Adams, Kugelman, Johnston.